[Flyin Chickens]

I have one hen who is aorund 28 weeks old who wont come out of the hen house.  I have just stuck my head in and she is lay in the nest box but has been in there for around 3 hours.  She took alot of tempting out yesterday.  I am unsure if she is laying yet.  Do they have problems at first lay?  Didn't have any problems with any other hens.


Thanks

[Kate and her Ducks]

Could she be broody?

[ceri green]

sounds more like broody....does she scream at you if you put your hand under?  

[Flyin Chickens]

No, she makes no noise if I pick her up and have a feel under her.
I have gone out today and she is 10 times worse.  I think that she may be ill as she will not move or bring her legs down.  She is just lying still not even in the nest box.

I am really worried as I have had to work today and wont be home until 6.30.  I have placed the water next to her inside the house.

What should I do if she is the same when I get home?
Should I try to give her something???

Need help

[kimT]

Hi Flying Chickens.
She could be egg bound have a look at her rear end and see if you can see anything and have a very gentle feel around.

If you can see or feel something that resembles an egg bring her in and put a little Vaseline around her vent and then sit her on a warm water bottle with a towel on wrapped round it. This will help her to relax and the egg should come away.

Someone else may come up with another suggestion.

Good luck

I have just pinched this from another forum.

Treatment begins with separating the hen to a quiet warm area. Sometimes a heat lamp over a makeshift nest box is all they need. Warmth relaxes the hen so that the vent can dilate more allowing the egg to pass. A warm water bath is a great option. Hens that are egg bound and placed in a sink of water will immerse themselves squatting down and look like they are nesting. This is helpful in diagnosis as an ill hen will usually stand in the water wondering why you put her there or get out. Often the hen will pass the egg into the water bath. Make the water as hot as you would like to take a long soak in if you were sore from overwork the day before.

[Flyin Chickens]

Thanks I will try bringing her in the house tonight (Need to tell the wife and find a good sized box) and give her a warm bath.

I am sat in work worried out of my head and can't get home for another 2 hours.

[Flyin Chickens]

Got home tonight and went straight out to the girls.  The other 2 came running out when they heard me come.

Opened the main door to find my sick hen dead.  she must have died early this morning as she was rock solid.  Can't believe it as she was fine 3 days ago and I have only had her for about 6-8 weeks.

What is the best way to dispose of her body?  Is it ok to bury her or will that lead to trouble?

Thanks

[Kate and her Ducks]

I'm so sorry about your hen. Sending big hugs.

I've only lost girls to a fox before so I double bagged them in plastic bags and put them in the bin. I would worry about burying her in case she has something contagious.

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to tell you the official thing to do but she might need disposing of in some official way.

Really sorry she went down so quickly.

[Hawkins]

so sorry to hear your news. im not sure on the disposal front sorry.

[Vember]

So sorry to hear of your loss

There is some info here on what to do with the body :cry:
http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=22501


Sarah

[kimT]

Oh, I am so sorry you lost her.  :cry:  :cry:

[Flyin Chickens]

Thanks for the link and all your thoughts.

I suppose I will have to decide tomorrow......I may feel the need to dig a deep hole in my garden for absolute no reason and then fill it back in again later.

Got to break the news to my son tomorrow...

[matthew2riches]

Sad loss but life is life :-(

Bag and bin i'm afraid.